Second Matchup Brings Domination

At this stage in the season, all that matters is the win. To do it in style is a bonus.

In another crucial Saturday in the race for the Ivy League championship, the Harvard women’s basketball team recorded an emphatic 76-54 victory over Penn at The Palestra. With league leader Cornell extending its Ivy League record to 9-1, the Crimson (15-9, 8-2 Ivy) maintained its championship hopes with an accomplished performance against the Quakers.

“I’m very pleased,” coach Kathy Delaney-Smith said. “I’m very happy with how we’ve played both games [this weekend]—I thought Penn played well tonight.”

The Crimson was spearheaded by two of the season’s leading protagonists. Junior Katie Rollins continued her strong form, scoring a game-leading 22 points. With 17 points, eight assists, six steals and five rebounds, senior co-captain Lindsey Hallion also put in a key performance to help put Penn (4-20, 1-8) to the sword.

“It was a general team effort,” Hallion said. “Everyone worked really, really hard on defense, and we all played well together.”

The result extends Harvard’s dominant record over the Quakers—the Crimson has now won the last nine matchups, 13 of the last 14 meetings, and recorded its 15th sweep in series history. However, unlike the dramatic 63-62 home victory against Penn on Feb. 1, the Crimson was to enjoy a healthier margin of victory this time around.

“We definitely felt we had something to prove from last time,” Hallion said. “We wanted to prove we were the better team.”

Fresh off of an impressive 65-51 win over Princeton on Friday, Harvard came into the game looking to continue its Ancient Eight challenge. The Crimson took the momentum from the outset, embarking on an 8-0 run. Harvard proceeded to make its first five shots of the half and take a 10-3 advantage in the first three minutes.

With eight minutes remaining in the half, a jump shot from Rollins, a three-pointer from junior guard Emily Tay and another jumper from freshman forward Emma Markley took Harvard into a comfortable 21-12 lead.

The Quakers then went on a 10-2 run to pull within one, 23-22, with 4:50 remaining in the half.

The Crimson retained its composure to pull six points clear of its stubborn opponents in what was a keenly contested period. Rollins scored six points and freshman Christine Matera added five to help Harvard take a 36-30 lead at half time.

Having lost by a solitary point against the Crimson in February, the Quakers returned for the second half harboring belief in an upset. However, any notion of a Penn victory was rapidly dispelled by an early Harvard onslaught.

The Crimson surged into an 18-1 run and a 54-31 lead six minutes into the half.

“We made great game adjustments in the second half, so I was pretty pleased how we pulled away,” Delaney-Smith said.

In an attempt to salvage pride, a shell-shocked Penn rallied and embarked on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 54-38 with 11:58 left on the clock. The comeback was short-lived—Finelli sank a jumper to end a three minute dry spell for Harvard, starting a six point run that took the Crimson to an unassailable 60-38 lead with 8:49 remaining.

Hallion continued her impressive performance with a series of shots, while a resurgent Harvard squad went into cruise control. As the Crimson rotated its squad, several reserves made valuable contributions and added gloss to the score line.

“We had 19 assists today, which I though was terrific—I love that,” Delaney-Smith said. “We moved the ball really well.”

With four Ivy League games remaining, Harvard’s destiny remains in its own hands—four victories will ensure the team a chance to retain its Ivy League crown.

“It ain’t over till it’s over,” Hallion said. “We’ve got everything in our control, so we just have to keep winning.”

On the basis of Saturday’s performance against Penn, it is clear the Crimson is relishing the challenge.